Are Online PDF Tools Safe? How to Protect Your Documents

Two types of online PDF tools

Many websites upload your file to a server, process it there and send it back. Your document leaves your device and sits on another computer for a while. Other tools process the file inside your browser, so the file stays on your device.

How Alem Tools Kit handles your files

The tools on this site work in your browser. Your files are not uploaded to our servers. The browser downloads the tool code, and for some tools extra components such as the OCR language data. Your documents are never sent. You can check this yourself by opening your browser network panel while you use a tool.

Questions to ask before you use any tool

• Does it say files are processed on your device?
• Does it ask you to create an account or give an email?
• Does it keep files after processing, and for how long?
• Does it have a clear privacy policy?

Extra steps for sensitive documents

• Remove hidden data first: use Remove Image Metadata for photos and PDF Metadata Editor for PDFs.
• Share only the pages needed: see how to rotate, delete and reorder PDF pages.
• Before sending an ID copy, add a watermark such as "FOR VISA APPLICATION ONLY".

Keep your own copy safe

Keep originals in a safe place and delete temporary copies from shared computers. Close the browser tab when you finish, and avoid public computers for important documents.